Selected projects
2026: Energy efficiency, infrastructure mapping, and utility planning. Shoshone-Paiute/BIA ($499,950).
2025: Solar Prize Round 8 Semifinalist. U.S. Department of Energy ($75,000).
2024: Community Energy Innovation Grand Prize, Manufacturing. Department of Energy ($460,000).
2024: Cross-Sector Consulting Program. U.S. Department of Energy ($400,000).
City of Tacoma: Developed implementation guidance for a fluidized-bed waste gasification facility.
Rappahannock Tribe: Managed land use and comprehensive planning for infrastructure development.
Upper Mattaponi Tribe: Worked with stakeholder engagement for zoning and development.
Piedmont Environmental Council: Worked on implementation guidance for a pilot agrivoltaics project.
Earlier work
2017 to 2021: Vice-Chair, City of Carbondale Sustainability Commission. Primary author for the region’s first Sustainability Plan, managing data acquisition and technical drafting.
2021: Director, Solarize Southern Illinois. Built the technical platform for the annual program, provided oversight, and facilitated overall development.
Fellowships
2026: ACORE Accelerator 2026-2028 Cohort
2026: Indigenous Data Champion, U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network
2025: Emerging Leaders, Trellis
2025: Indigenous Leadership Academy, American Indian Policy Institute
2024-2026: Tribal Energy Innovators Fellowship, GRID Alternatives
2024: MIT Solver, Indigenous Communities Fellowship Class of 2024
Awards
2025: Verizon Disaster Resilience Prize semifinalist for oneNode, a microgrid technology for disaster response.
2025: Winner, “Ready” phase for the American-Made Solar Prize Round 8.
2024: Shortlisted for the Energy Institute’s International Energy Young Professional Award.
2023: 30 Under 30 in Energy by NextGen for contributions to work in energy economics.
2022: Les Nelson Award by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners for volunteerism.
Graduate Student of the Year Award, Wilmington University (MBA)
Boards and memberships
2025 to present: Member, Renewable Energy Component Task Force, State of Illinois
2025 to present: Honorary Director, North American Branch, Energy Institute’s Professional Network
2024 to present: Advisory Committee Member, Department of Energy PV RESOLVE
2023 to 2025: Mentor and Member, American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Request qualifications
Contact Saxon Metzger for a qualifications statement or CV for a proposal, partnership, or speaking request.